Department of Justice

Data released by Google shows that requests rose from 21,389 to 25,879 between the second half of 2012 and the first half of 2013. In total 42,500 user accounts were targeted and Google said 65 percent of requests led to some data being given up.

An Attorney General claims Google is making it too easy to find sites that sell drugs without a prescription. Meanwhile the Digital Citizens Alliance released reports of Google profiting from ads on content focused on illegal topics in YouTube.

Every government agency should understand, monitor, and seek to shape its digital presence around SEO fundamentals to ensure their services, activities, and positions are issues are front and center in the everyday lives of the public via search.

Google is expected to pay a $22.5 million fine – the largest ever imposed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission – in relation to the discovery that Google used special code to get around the Safari browser's built-in privacy controls to track users.

Government agencies that took part in an investigation of Google for distributing paid search ads for Canadian pharmacies that illegally shipped drugs into the U.S. will split $500 million Google forfeited to avoid Department of Justice prosecution.

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Flight Search is now integrated in flight-related query results on Google.com. Appearing between the paid search box and organic results, the Flight Search displays available flights between destinations with prices, duration, and adjustable dates.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement grabbed more than 130 sites this year, including counterfeit clothing sites and those that charged directly for services. Why is SOPA needed if the courts are issuing these warrants for website takedowns?

The federal government has cracked down on mortgage scams that claimed they could lower payments through government-backed programs. As 85 such companies are shut down, Google is coming under scrutiny for allowing them to post AdWords ads.

Google nearly doubled their year-over-year spend on lobbying this quarter, forking out $2.4 million as their troubles with the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice continue. This year alone, Google has spent $5.9 million on lobbying.

Google's $700 million ITA acquisition is officially in the clear after a federal court review. Google has agreed to conditions imposed by the U.S. government – licensing travel data to rivals and allowing the government to review any complaints.